CHICAGO — The Mets spent 1 ½ weeks with their complete starting lineup available, but Starling Marte’s sore right knee could leave the team looking to fill right field beyond just a few days.
Marte, who has battled discomfort in the knee in recent weeks, will undergo testing Monday — including an MRI exam — that will give Marte and the Mets a better understanding of the situation.
Marte was absent from Sunday’s starting lineup against the Cubs, a day after departing in the second inning with the knee barking.
Starling Marte was out of the Mets’ starting lineup on Sunday with a knee injury. Getty Images
One Mets teammate on Sunday called for Marte to rest until he is healthy.
“At the end of the day this is for the long run and a long season and you want to be healthy going forward instead of constantly grinding through at-bats and grinding through the day,” J.D. Martinez told The Post before the game at Wrigley Field. “I have been there before. It’s not fun when you are not healthy and kind of grinding through. I think for [Marte’s] sake and for the team’s sake, get it rested.”
The Mets have had their complete starting lineup active since Francisco Alvarez’s return from the injured list on June 11.
The catcher missed seven weeks rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.
Other than Alvarez, the Mets have been relatively fortunate to this point in keeping their starters off the injured list.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has played it cautiously with Marte, building in off days for the 35-year-old outfielder to protect his legs.
Starling Marte is set to get an MRI on his knee on Monday. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Most notably, Mendoza has taken that approach when the Mets have played on artificial turf in Miami, London and Texas in recent weeks.
Asked if there might be any value to placing Marte on the IL to rest the knee regardless of the test results, Mendoza said the team will first wait to see what the MRI exam reveals.
“We don’t want to pick too soon here,” Mendoza said. “We want to make sure that we take a look at him and see what we’re dealing with and then we’ll make a decision moving forward.”
DJ Stewart started in Marte’s place on Sunday and the Mets have Tyrone Taylor as another option to play the outfield.
Trayce Thompson and Ben Gamel are outfielders at Triple-A Syracuse with major league experience.
Jeff McNeil also can play the outfield and is still an option to be utilized in that role, according to Mendoza.
Starling Marte’s defensive struggles have been noticeable this year. AP
Marte missed most of the final two months of last season dealing with groin discomfort.
He also had an IL stint caused by migraine headaches.
But he’s managed to remain in the lineup this season.
In 66 games he owns a .278/.328/.416 slash line with seven homers, 30 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Though he’s been a solid contributor offensively, Marte’s defense has lagged, and it’s been noticeable.
“He’s very talented and he can do it all — he’s a good defender when he’s healthy,” Martinez said. “He throws the ball well and he’s just been a good hitter. He gives you productive at-bats so he is important.
“I have been in that position where you want to play and you just can’t get healthy. Naturally it sucks because you can’t get your timing and you are in there and not productive as you want to be. It’s almost better for me that you get it fixed and get healthy.”
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